AMMONIDE Meaning and
Definition
-
An ammonide, also referred to as an ammonoid, is a group of extinct marine mollusks that belong to the class Cephalopoda and the subclass Ammonoidea. They lived during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, flourishing particularly during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Ammonides possess distinctive spiral-shaped shells, which can vary in size, ranging from a few centimeters to a meter in diameter for some species.
The shells of ammonides consist of chambers separated by septa, which are delicately curved partitions. As the animal grows, it constructs new chambers, gradually moving its body into the most recent one, leaving the older chambers behind. Ammonides had a soft body enclosed within this shell. Their shells typically display intricate suture patterns, which are elaborate designs formed through the intersections of the innermost whorl of the shell with the septa.
These cephalopods were highly successful in terms of diversity, with thousands of species identified to date. Ammonides inhabited various oceanic environments and adapted to different types of habitats. They played crucial roles in marine ecosystems as predators, feeding on small invertebrates, fish, and other marine organisms.
Due to their rapid evolution and extensive fossil record, ammonides are widely used in biostratigraphy and paleontology to date rocks and determine the relative ages of geological formations. The study of their fossils contributes significantly to our understanding of ancient marine ecosystems, climate conditions, and the history of life on Earth.
-
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for AMMONIDE
- zmmonide
- smmonide
- wmmonide
- qmmonide
- anmonide
- akmonide
- ajmonide
- amnonide
- amkonide
- amjonide
- amminide
- ammknide
- ammlnide
- ammpnide
- amm0nide
- amm9nide
- ammobide
- ammomide
- ammojide
- ammohide
Etymology of AMMONIDE
The word "ammonide" derives from the Greek word "ammonis" (ἀμμώνης), which means "Ammon". Ammon was an ancient Egyptian god, associated with fertility and the ram. The name "Ammon" is believed to have originated from the ancient Egyptian term "Imn" or "Amon", which means "hidden" or "mysterious". The suffix "-ide" in "ammonide" often refers to a type of organism or mineral. In the case of "ammonide", it designates a fossilized shell of an extinct group of marine mollusks called ammonoids, which resembled rams' horns.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
